speak volumes

Idioms  

1. Be significant, indicate a great deal, as in That house of theirs speaks volumes about their income. This idiom uses volumes in the sense of “the information contained in volumes of books.” [c. 1800]

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Example Sentences

And I think that that silence really does speak volumes.

From Slate • Feb. 11, 2025

Amid all the celebration, there are some notes of caution from campaigners that perhaps speak volumes about the reality of past let-downs.

From BBC • Jul. 17, 2024

Failing to capitalize once more and finishing winless on the road trip would speak volumes.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 3, 2023

Whenever necessary, Giovanni’s poems speak volumes, and they inspired the film’s structure.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 30, 2023

Startling facts like these speak volumes, and any honest and upright member of the community will not need more than their simple avowal to rouse his indignation.

From Secret History of the Court of England, from the Accession of George the Third to the Death of George the Fourth, Volume I (of 2) Including, Among Other Important Matters, Full Particulars of the Mysterious Death of the Princess Charlotte by Hamilton, Lady Anne